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Our Correspondent
Imphal, Jan. 17 (EMN): Chief Minister of Manipur N Biren Singh inaugurated the 5th Manipur Statehood Day Women’s Polo Tournament at the historic Mapal Kangjeibung Polo Ground on Friday.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said that the tournament is a tribute to Lord Marjing and to the ancestors who gave the world a beautiful game. It is indeed a matter of pride that Manipur is the birthplace of the Modern Polo, he added.
“We must put our collective efforts in promoting Manipur as a preferred Polo game destination,” he said, adding that “the government has developed the Marjing Polo Complex at Heingang in Imphal East district with an objective to promote Polo.”
He also stressed on preserving and protecting the indigenous ponies.
Six teams namely Great Britain, Argentina, United States of America, Egypt, Indian Polo Association (India) and Manipur are participating in the five-day long tournament.
The inaugural match was played between Great Britain and Indian Polo Association.
The Great Britain team thrashed the Indian Polo Association 9-0 in the inaugural match of the tournament.
President of All Manipur Polo Association (AMPA), Dr. K Saratchandra Singh presided over the inaugural function and was attended by Minister for Fisheries N Kayasii, MLAs O Lukhoi (Wangoi) and Ngamthang Haokip (Saitu), principal secretary (Tourism) PK Singh, commissioner (Youth Affairs & Sports) Bobby Waikhom, director (Tourism) W Ibohal Singh, delegates and officials from different countries.
The tournament is organised by AMPA in partnership with Polo Yatra, the Indian women's polo initiative of Huntre! Equine under the sponsorship of the department of Tourism, Government of Manipur.